President Museveni Advises Iranian Investors to Focus on Agro-Processing

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called upon Iranian investors to prioritize establishing agro-processing factories in Uganda instead of acquiring massive tracts of land for direct commercial farming. The President made these remarks during a meeting at State House, Entebbe, with the outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Majid Saffar.

Addressing the outgoing envoy, President Museveni stressed that value addition is crucial for the country’s economic growth. Rather than engaging in primary farming, he suggested that foreign companies should build industries to process agricultural products supplied by local Ugandan farmers.

“The best way is to build factories in Uganda to process agricultural products from our Ugandan farmers. Let the people here produce, and your companies process,” the President stated during the discussions.

The talks highlighted significant investment opportunities in key agricultural value chains, including coffee, cocoa, and pineapples. According to the President, focusing on agro-industrialization will help create jobs, expand international trade, and significantly boost export earnings for Uganda.

Ambassador Saffar acknowledged Uganda’s agricultural potential and noted that several Iranian companies are keen to invest in processing local produce. He added that Iran is prepared to support local cooperatives and agricultural unions to foster bilateral trade and employment.

Beyond agriculture, the two leaders explored expanded cooperation in healthcare and education. They also touched on regional and international security matters, with President Museveni sharing his perspective on Middle Eastern geopolitics and advocating for mutual recognition to resolve long-standing conflicts.

Read more about this story on the State House Uganda Website.